Critter Connections February 2021 - Moths

YOUTH MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

FEBRUARY 2021

CRITTER CONNECTIONS

Moths

Yucca Yucca are a group of flowering plants that grow in Texas. They naturally grow in warm and dry habitats with sandy soils, but they are adaptable to different environments. Different species of yucca are planted in decorative landscapes all across Texas. They provide food, shelter and nesting sites for small animals and some species are beneficial to humans as soap, shampoos and medicine.

They are evergreen shrubs, which means they have leaves year-round. Their pale green leaves are typically long and pointy, like a dagger and grow out from a central location. Some species grow close to the ground, while others grow up on tall woody trunks. Creamy white flowers grow on a stalk in the center of the cluster of leaves. Nocturnal animals like moths and in some cases, bats, typically pollinate the bell-shaped flowers.

One species of yucca has a mutualistic relationship with a species of moth. This means that they both depend on each other to survive. The adult moth blends in perfectly with the flowers. The female moth gathers pollen from one flower and deposits it on another flower on a nearby plant and then she lays her eggs in the flower. The flowers protect the eggs and larvae as they grow. Pollination ensures the yucca will produce fruit, which provide seeds for new plants to grow.

Photos and article source: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Front Cover Photo: Rosy Maple Moth by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Moth Craft

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Use the provided moth template or download and print a copy here: bit.ly/CC_Moth Choose a location outside or inside that your moth will use to blend in.

Color your moth so that it camouflages in the area you selected.

Cut out your moth and tape it in the location you chose in step 2.

How well did it blend in? Ask your friends and family if they can find your moth.

2

Did you know... … that some species of moth in the Genus Calyptra will drink blood? … that there are 10 times more species of moth than butterfly? … that while many moths are nocturnal, there are several species that are awake in the daytime? … that moths vary in size from a couple millimeters (mm) to almost a foot in length? … that adult moths are an excellent food source for insect-eating bats? … that some species of moth do not have a mouth in the adult stage of their life cycle because they are not alive long enough to require food? … that moths often mimic other things as a form of camouflage, like leaves, wasps, hummingbirds, and even bird droppings?

Photo source: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

Luna Moth

Color the Luna Moth

Color Me Luna Moth (Actias luna)

Image © Sheri Amsel, www.exploringnature.org 33

Moths and butterflies belong to the insect order Lepidoptera (leh-puh-dop-tr-uh) which means scaly wing in Greek. Have you ever caught a butterfly or moth and noticed a powdery substance on your hands? That powder is actually microscopic scales which have rubbed off of their wings. Scales are important in several ways, they help the moth fly, keep it warm and provide structure and color which creates Wing scales patterns on their wings.

Many species of moth are plain in color to blend in with trees and rocks in their habitat, but there are several species that are bright and colorful, especially species that are active during the day. While most moths are nocturnal, some are diurnal or active in the daytime. One example of a diurnal moth is the white-lined sphynx, also known as the hummingbird moth because of its large size and flight pattern which is similar to a Bird Dropping Moth hummingbird. Moths are experts of camouflage, displaying colors and patterns to blend in with their environment. Many moths are colored to blend in with tree bark, but some species go a step further and mimic or copy other things. Some moths have angular wings and are patterned to resemble dead leaves, some mimic other insects like wasps and some are colored to look like a blob of bird droppings. Another defensive adaptation is the presence of eye spots. For example, the Io moth has large spots on its hindwings that resemble eyes, to scare Io Moth off potential predators.

Moths

by Elanor Dean There are close to 160,000 different species or types of moth in the world and over 350 species in Texas. This is nearly 10 times more species worldwide than their daytime cousin, the butterfly. Moths are insects, which means they have six legs, and their body is split into three parts, the head, thorax and abdomen. They also have two sets of wings connected to their thorax, known as the forewings at the top and hind wings at the bottom. On their head, they have a large pair of compound eyes made up of thousands of individual eyes called ommatidia (om-uh-tid-ee-uh) and a pair of small simple eyes which can sense light. They have a straw-like tongue called a proboscis (pro-bos-kiss) which they use to sip nectar from flowers and they taste using special structures on their feet. Moths smell using their antennae which are typically long and thin or featherlike. Antennae are one of the ways to tell moths and butterflies apart. Butterflies have clublike structures at the tips of their antennae, moths do not.

Moths have a four stage life cycle and go through complete metamorphosis.

The four stages are the egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon) and adult moth. The adult moth will lay her eggs somewhere that will serve as a food source for the larvae, such as a plant. Some species

Hollow-spotted Blepharomastix

4

Io Moth eggs

of moth will lay eggs on fabric, which can be a problem when the hungry caterpillars hatch and start chewing holes in your favorite sweater.

little paths which lead them deep into the flower where the nectar is abundant. In addition to being pollinators, moths are also an important food source for other species of wildlife, especially for nocturnal predators like bats. A large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats, like the millions that live in Bracken Cave, can eat over 200 tons of moths in a single evening.

Moths are so interesting and serve important roles in their environment. Check out Nancy’s Corner to learn some ways you can see moths.

Caterpillars eat and eat as they grow through several stages called instars. During each instar they will molt or shed their skin and grow until they are ready for the pupa stage. Like the adult moths, caterpillars also have defensive adaptations. Some are colored to blend in with their environment, some are poisonous and will display bright colors, while others Moth cocoons are covered with spines or stinging hairs to deter predators. One species, called the bagworm, builds a protective case around its body using silk and then attaches tiny pieces of twigs and leaves. It crawls around with this ‘bag’ covering the back half of its body and will become fully encased inside during the third stage of its life cycle. Once the caterpillar is ready to change into the pupa stage, most species of moth will spin a protective cocoon made of silk.

Evergreen Bagworm Giant Leopard Moth

When the cocoon is built, they will shed their skin for a final time and become a pupa, using the cocoon as a protective case. During this stage, they go through an amazing change from caterpillar to adult moth.

Their entire body breaks down Rosy Maple Moth caterpillar into a liquid goo and then rebuilds the adult structures.

When the pupa is ready to hatch it must cut its way out or release chemicals to soften the cocoon, allowing it to escape. When the adult moth emerges, its abdomen is very large and its wings are Rosy Maple Moth tiny. It pumps a blood-like substance called hemolymph into its wings, allowing them to expand. Once its wings have dried, the adult moth will begin to search for food and a mate to begin the life cycle all over.

Flannel Moth

Inornate Pyrausta

WORD BANK Ommatidia – the individual eyes that form the compound eyes of an insect Proboscis – a straw-like mouthpart found in some species of wildlife Lepidoptera – the Order or scientific group that includes butterflies and moths Instar – the different stages of larval growth in the life cycle of some insects like moths Hemolymph – a blood-like substance found in invertebrates like insects

Moths that drink nectar are important pollinators. When they enter a flower seeking food, their fuzzy bodies gather pollen which they transport to other flowers. This allows flowering plants to complete their own life cycle. Moth pollinated flowers for nocturnal species are typically white or pale colored and produce a strong, sweet scent. Some flowers have ultraviolet markings, which are invisible to us, but moths are able to see

Sources: Britannica Encyclopedia, Smithsonian, USDA Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Robert Webster, Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, Peter Znamenskiy, Katja Schulz, Gary Foster, Shawn Hanrahan, Judy Gallagher 55

Moth Crossword Across 2. moths drink this from flowers 5. moths have this many stages in their life cycle 9. nocturnal animals are awake during this time 10. the body and wings of a moth are covered with these tiny structures 12. the flying insect featured in this issue 13. moths use these to fly

White-lined Sphinx

Down 1. moths, ants and beetles are this kind of living thing 3. the second largest state in the United States 4. moths help flowers by moving tiny grains of this from flower to flower 6. you turn this on when you want a room to be brighter, moths are attracted to this 7. nighttime flying mammals that eat moths 8. a shortened term that describes when living things blend in with their environment 11. moths spin a cocoon using this

Nancy’s Corner Tips to see moths: 1. Moths are naturally attracted to lights, so leave your porch light on

at night.

2. Hang a white sheet outside at night and shine a light on it.

Once the moths arrive, draw what you see, take photographs and post your observations into iNaturalist.

You can also join our project on iNaturalist, Statewide Stewards, to see species other people have documented.

66

Photo Source: Patrick Alexander Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Youth Education Programs Discovery Trunks

Youth Videoconferencing * 45 minute live programs * Live animals * Interactive questions and worksheets * Designed for Grades 1-6

* Classroom Presentations * 30-60 minutes in length * Hands-on, inquiry-based learning * TEKS aligned for Grades K-8

Stewarding Texas

Educator Workshops

On-demand Webinars

* 2-week reservations * Seven wildlife topics * Hands-on materials and lessons * TEKS aligned for Grades K-8

* 40 lessons about land stewardship and conservation * Available online and in every Discovery Trunk * TEKS aligned for Grades K-12

YOUTH MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

Texas Pollinators

* 13-25 minute programs * Available anytime * Interactive questions and worksheets * TEKS aligned for Grades K-8

Critter Connections

APRIL 2019

CRITTER CONNECTIONS

* Provides hands-on training and lessons for educators * Grades K-8 * 6 hours of CPE credits

Wildlife by Design

YOUTH MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

To receive a one-year subscription of Critter Connections go to: www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/subscribe-to-critter-connections Critter Connections are now available in a read-along format. Recordings of past issues are available online and live broadcasts will be aired of upcoming issues. www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/critter-connections-read-along

FEBRUARY 2019

CRITTER CONNECTIONS

Join TWA Today!

Texas Squirrels

www.texas-wildlife.org

TWA is a membership-based, non-profit organization whose goal is to educate all people, especially the youth of Texas about conservation, management and stewardship of wildlife and habitat on private land.

All education programs are made possible through memberships, grants and donations. Learn more about the levels of membership as well as the educational programs TWA offers on our website.

All membership levels include a one-year subscription to the TWA monthly Texas Wildlife magazine.

Membership Levels: ` ____ Family $250

____ Active $150

____ Associate* $75

____ Online $35

* If you are an educator in the Texas please call the TWA office at 800-TEX-WILD for our educator discount.

77

TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

Providing essential funding to the education programs of Texas Wildlife Association Please consider making a tax-deductible investment to TWAF, and help us as we continue to change minds and lives, through natural resource education.

Together, we can make sure that Texans understand the importance of wild things, wild places, and the stewards who care for them.

www.twafoundation.org